diff --git a/ansible/roles/haproxy-config/defaults/main.yml b/ansible/roles/haproxy-config/defaults/main.yml
index 97ef2a0998..4cfc7b7862 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/haproxy-config/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/haproxy-config/defaults/main.yml
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 ---
 project_name: "haproxy-config"
 
-haproxy_service_template: "haproxy_single_service_listen.cfg.j2"
+# DEPRECATED(yoctozepto): using "haproxy_single_service_listen.cfg.j2" here is deprecated
+haproxy_service_template: "haproxy_single_service_split.cfg.j2"
 
 # Extra frontend/backend options (additive with locally defined options)
 haproxy_frontend_http_extra:
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/haproxy-default-template-change-b5816d6ba87f3a4c.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/haproxy-default-template-change-b5816d6ba87f3a4c.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5cc1bdd170
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/haproxy-default-template-change-b5816d6ba87f3a4c.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    The default of ``haproxy_service_template`` changed to
+    ``haproxy_single_service_split.cfg.j2``.
+    This template allows more flexibility in service config.
+    The previously-default ``haproxy_single_service_listen.cfg.j2`` is now
+    deprecated for removal.
+    No action needs to be taken unless one relied on replacing the previous
+    default template contents with one's own (under the same name).
+deprecations:
+  - |
+    The previous default of ``haproxy_service_template``
+    (``haproxy_single_service_listen.cfg.j2``) is now deprecated for removal
+    as ``haproxy_single_service_split.cfg.j2`` takes it place to allow more
+    flexibility in service config.